Jerry Garcia Honored with Street Name in San Francisco

Fans gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the legacy of legendary guitarist Jerry Garcia by naming a street in his honor. The dedication took place in the Excelsior neighborhood where Garcia spent part of his childhood. City officials stated that the commemorative street name pays tribute to a San Francisco native whose music continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

The event coincided with the Grateful Dead‘s 60th anniversary, which is being marked by three days of live music and festivities throughout the city. Offshoot band Dead & Company is set to perform three shows starting on July 7, 2023, at Golden Gate Park. This date is particularly poignant, as it would have been Garcia’s 83rd birthday. He passed away in 1995, leaving behind a profound impact on the music scene.

Celebrating Music Legends and New Releases

In other entertainment news, John Krasinski is set to write, direct, and produce A Quiet Place Part III, with a theatrical release scheduled for July 9, 2027. The original film, released in 2018, was a major success, grossing over $341 million globally against a budget of $17 million. Krasinski, who starred in the first two films, has established himself as a successful filmmaker, having also directed the sequel.

In a somber announcement, the family of Flaco Jimenez, the renowned accordionist from San Antonio, revealed that he passed away at the age of 86. Jimenez was celebrated for his contributions to conjunto and Tejano music, earning five Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. His family stated that he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his passing, although a cause of death has not been disclosed.

Unique Viewing Experiences and New Literary Voices

For those seeking lighthearted entertainment, the Cat Video Fest is making waves this weekend. This 73-minute G-rated selection of the internet’s most beloved cat videos is playing in over 500 independent theaters across the United States and Canada. A portion of the ticket proceeds supports local cat-focused charities, and since its inception in 2019, the festival has raised over $1 million for animal welfare.

Meanwhile, Julia Whelan, a prolific audiobook narrator, has recently recorded her 600th audiobook. Despite her success, Whelan highlights the challenges narrators face, noting that they do not receive royalties based on the book’s performance. She has taken steps to advocate for narrators by founding her own publishing company, Audiobrary, which aims to share profits more equitably with both authors and narrators.

On another note, former Food Network star Paula Deen has unexpectedly closed her restaurant, The Lady & Sons, in Savannah, Georgia. The restaurant, which she opened nearly three decades ago with her sons, played a significant role in Deen’s rise to fame. No reasons were provided for the closure, though her other restaurants in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Missouri remain operational.

Lastly, the literary community mourns the loss of Allan Ahlberg, a prolific children’s author known for classics like “Each Peach Pear Plum.” Ahlberg passed away at the age of 87, with Penguin Random House confirming his death. His works, often illustrated by his late wife, introduced young readers to the joy of reading through engaging rhymes and interactive storytelling.

The recent developments across various sectors of the entertainment industry highlight the lasting impact of artists and creators, from honoring music legends to celebrating new literary voices.